Other countries, other customs: Christmas customs of the world

Other countries, other customs: Christmas customs of the world

When the days get shorter, Christmas decorations are brought out in this country. Advent wreaths and Christmas trees, presents and carols are considered typical elements of the holiday. In fact, what we perceive as Christmas tradition is of pagan origin - and people elsewhere celebrate the festival quite differently.

If you think twice when you look at the calendar, you immediately realize that something doesn't add up - because the Magi, who venerate the baby Jesus after the Nativity, will hardly have been stuck in the time warp until early January. In fact, Epiphany is the "real" Christmas - that is, the day on which the Eastern churches still celebrate the birth of Christ.

What makes Christmas in December?

Moving the festival to the three days of December 24-26 was not least a clever marketing strategy of early Christianity, because at that time pagan Rome celebrated Sol Invictus, the unconquered sun god who was literally on the rise again after the shortest day of the year. North of Rome, Germanic and Celtic peoples celebrated on this very occasion with very similar reasons. The early church took advantage of this popularity.



However, it was to be much longer before a decorated Christmas tree or the "typical" Santa Claus were added - and not everywhere these components are considered indispensable. The idea of Christmas as a celebration in the family circle has also been around for only a little longer than a hundred years. How have Christmas traditions developed in our nearer and more distant neighbors?

  • Bulgaria and Poland: The neighbors to the east celebrate devoutly without meat, with a lavish selection of vegetarian dishes that are considered typical Christmas treats and are eaten with the family.

  • Ukraine: Decorations in the form of spider webs replace ornaments in Ukraine, which in this country are designed like stars or snowflakes. The basis of the custom is the legend about a poor woman who could not afford the tree decorations and was happy to receive the frost-covered cobwebs.

  • Japan: Christmas dinner at Kentucky Fried Chicken is the long-running success of an advertising campaign that helped the U.S. fast-food chain establish itself as THE place to go for the holidays.

  • Spain: The event of the year in Spain is the big Christmas lottery El Gordo, which is also known here by now. The enormous jackpot makes a select few very happy every year, and the drawing is eagerly awaited.

  • England: In some places, the yule log is still lit in the fireplace - a solid large log whose burning probably has pagan origins.

  • USA: Cucumbers as lucky charms are hidden as ornaments somewhere on the Christmas tree. Whoever finds the unusual decoration is supposedly lucky or receives an additional gift.

Christmas brings light to the darkest season

No matter how people around the world celebrate Christmas or even the winter solstice, there is always a desire behind it to breathe light and warmth into the year that is drawing to a close and the now very short days. This is achieved with lighting and decorations, in which colors such as red and green ensure that our hearts are warmed - and of course also through hearty meals and shared enjoyment with friends and family.

How and when do you celebrate "Christmas"? Write us!

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